MANILA — Facilitators of an “irregular” practice in which Chinese nationals were allowed a “seamless” entry into the Philippines in exchange of extorted money were given P500 per individual they assisted, a “pastillas” scam whistleblower said on Wednesday.

“Pastillas” scam is a bribery scheme wherein Chinese nationals pay immigration officials P10,000 rolled in a paper to avoid rigid profiling to enter the country.

Former immigration officer and whistleblower Allison Chiong testified again in the resumption of the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division’s graft trial against ex-immigration officials including former Port Operations Division chief Marc Red Mariñas.

During the cross examination, former immigration personnel Dennis Robles’ counsel Aster Araneta asked whether Chiong received P1,000 from her client. The witness replied yes.

While Chiong did not ask what the money was for, he said he understood that it was for facilitating the entry of two Chinese travelers — P500 for each.

He, however, stressed that during that time, the “pastillas” scheme was not yet organized. But he called the practice “informal” and “irregular.”

Chiong has previously submitted photos of some members of the “pastillas” scheme on a trip. He said he downloaded the photos from online to show that the former officials were having a “lavish” lifestyle.

Upon Araneta’s questioning, the whistleblower said he does not know how the trip was funded.

When asked by lawyer JE Froilan Clerigo, counsel of...

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